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A Near Miss showing incorrectly wired cut-outs creating a dangerous situation. This emphasises the importance of not being complacent and checking the state and status of the wiring system and components before attempting to work on the equipment.
FEB 2026 - NHA366 - Corrosion of Flange Plated Lighting Columns
A bridge deck steel lighting column collapsed due to internal corrosion. The flange plated columns were circa 10m high, 3mm steel wall thickness, 29 years old and located in an exposed aggressive environment. There have been several recent near misses due to internal corrosion (above/near the weld) of steel flange plated lighting columns. Robust non-destructive testing and assessment is essential to manage end of service life lighting columns.
FEB 2026 - Safety Alert - Lifting Operation Incident
A high potential Incident reported at an operating depot involving a newly purchased crane lorry. Operators were loading an 8m lamp column from its storage area, onto the rear of the vehicle. The column was lifted vertically instead of horizontally, this decision proved pivotal as during the operation the load snagged between the crane securing hook and retaining pin, causing the load to be lifted at an angle which was not adequately controlled by the operator or slinger / signaller and resulted in catastrophic structural failure.
Information on the identification of highway electrical equipment which may contain asbestos, and the actions to take if asbestos is encountered. This safety alert also contains references to HSE guidance and their decision flow chart. The safety alert, originally posted in Dec 2025, has been updated with an improved image showing an asbestos gasket.
Whilst cutting a grip in the footway with a cut-off saw, to tie in new asphalt, an operative cut through a live electric cable. The electric cable was in ducting with two other cables and was at a depth of 50mm (The top of the ducting was only 30mm under the surface of the asphalt).
June 2025 - Working Near Fords & Carriageway Erosion Areas – Reduced Cover Over Services
Two recent incidents highlight the need for our Highways Service to be alert to the danger of shallow or exposed services when working in close proximity to Fords.
June 2025 - NHa359 - Displaying of site speed limits
National Highways is receiving feedback that some customers, when passing through the associated temporary traffic management (TTM), are confusing the works’ site speed limit with the TTM related speed limits in place.
Over the past 20 years the utility service industry has
undertaken some major changes into its
infrastructure, by renewing & replacing; old lead
electric supply cables, cast iron gas & water main
pipes to the new durable polyethylene service ducts &
cables.
During the early hours of 24th January, an incident occurred involving two Traffic Management (TM)
operatives working on a full closure at the A63 Castle Street Improvement Scheme. At approximately 02:40, a
member of the public (MOP) approached a TM vehicle parked at a side road closure. The individual, reportedly
armed with what appeared to be a large knife, threatened the operatives who were inside the vehicle
November 2024 - Safety Alert – Vandalism - Danger of Electrocution
Hertfordshire street lighting dept. received a 2-hour emergency callout for
wires exposed at 20:00 on 22/10/2024.
When the emergency callout crew arrived on site at Kelman Close in
Cheshunt, they noticed the door was off the column, the supply cable to the
lantern was cut in half and the UKPN fuse carrier was missing
October 2024 - HSE Bulletin - Safe methods of isolation of platform controls on mobile elevating work platforms
HSE has worked with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) to develop the following guidance on the safe methods of isolation of platform controls for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
October 2024 - NHa355 - National Highways Safety Alert for Information - Overturned 9t Dual View Dumper
On Thursday 22nd August 2024 a Dual View dumper overturned whilst manoeuvring on a site haul route.
What happened:
As part of the construction of a new road, material was being transported by a Dual View dumper from a stockpile approximately 100 – 150m to the required infill area. The route was along a 15m wide designated plant haul route.
The dumper was being loaded by a 15t excavator. Once loaded the dumper reversed away from the stockpile – the driver did not rotate the steering column of the Dual View dumper to drive away facing the direction of travel.
October 2024 - NHa354 - National Highways Safety Alert for Information -Safety Alert Lighting Column Corrosion
During cyclic inspection and testing, 50 steel lighting columns have
recently been cut down in one location on the strategic road network
due to severe corrosion and loss of section. (Batch testing on 246
similar aged columns identified 45% of as amber or red).
• The steel columns were aged over 35 years and generally located in
an exposed environment. Previous inspection reports were
unavailable.
• Columns had corroded internally, either at or below ground level for
planted columns, or just above the welded connection for flange plated
(FP) columns. Corrosion to the FP column was internal and may not be
apparent from inspection alone.
With changes to the Law, which come into effect 24th August 2023, this Safety Bulletin has been issued to remind staff of the health risks and control measures associated with the use of hazardous substances that contain the ingredient; di-isocyanate (DII) and supplements previous training on this subject.
March 2024 - NHa 347 National Highways Safety Alert for Information - M4 Lantern Incident and Signify Response
A street lighting lantern in the central reserve became loose from the bracket and was suspended by the lanyard during Storm Henk. Now including response by Signify concerning this incident.
Sept 2023 - EHS Alert Subject: Waste Cables now treated as Hazardous Waste
Following the issue of a recent Environment Agency Regulatory Position
Statement (RPS) 276, we must now consider waste cables as hazardous
when we are storing and disposing of them.
Dec 2023 - SHE Alert Works around ULEZ infrastructure
Specialist officers leading investigation into explosion in Sidcup.
A criminal investigation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police in relation to an explosion that took
place in Sidcup on the evening of Wednesday 6th December, in which a ULEZ camera and surrounding
property were damaged.
To communicate an incident which occurred in an EV CP (Electric vehicle
charge point) Installation and look to continuous improvement to mitigate the
risk of recurrence.
The HEA best practice guide for H.E. work on centre islands and pedestrian refuges.
(Safety for planning or carrying out work on highway electrical and associated equipment). Issue 1.1 - February 2017
HEA | Changes to First Aid Regulations and Checklist
Changes to training to meet first aid regulations. Guidance for employers, auditors and HESA approved training organisations. Checklist for evaluating first aid trainers. Issue 1 - 19/12/2013.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM)
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects
